Sectional metallic building construction



F6136. 23, 1937. J. sYLvAN SECTIONAL METALLIC BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 4 shears-sheet 1 Filed March 25, 1955 als J. SYLVAN SECTIONAL METALLIC BUILDING CONSTRUCTION .,Feb.- 23, 1937.

Filed March 25, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 23, 1937. '.J. sYLvAN 2,071,666

SECTIONAL METALLIC BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Marchas, 1935 4 sheets-sheet s Feb. 23, 1937. J,- SYLVAN 2,71,666

SECTIONAL METALLIC BUILDING- CONSTRUCTION Filed March 25, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 s @0 s S Y ceilings,

Patented` Feb. 23,

UNITED; STATES PATENT OFFICE sEc'rroNAL immuno nunmNc coNs'raUc'rloN l 'I'his invention relates to improvements in sectional metallic building construction. and one of the objects ofthe invention is to provide a structure of this character in ,whichthe walls, oors,

Y partitions and rooi!` will be of a hollow VV'metallic construction, the parts constituting the same beingsecured in position without the use oi.' bolts or rivets, and., in which construction slip joint connections will be provided between the 1o -parts, insulating means being provided within the parts to form dead air spaces .providing an eiective insulation. A

A further object is to provide in a structure of this character a supporting frame embodying l5' angle or channel uprights and trusses, fastened together and so arranged that'all bolts or iastenlng means for the frame structure will be concaled' from both the inside and outside surfaces vof the walls or partitions.

20 A further object is tovprovide an improved structure oi this character in which'the reinforcing members provided in the irame structure will be encased or housed within hollow elements or sections constituting the walls, iioors, ceil- 25 ing and roof, to be concealed thereby, and which hollow elements may be readily placed in posi# tion or removed without the necessity of interfering with Aor removing the upright or any of the freiniorcing'members. 3o A further object is to provide an improved wall, ceiling, floor and roo!l construction, formed of hollow sections or elements, the proximate edges oiadJacent elements being provided with interlocking means, the elements or sections being 35 held in assembled relation, without the use of bolts, rivets, or otherl fastening devices.

y A further object is to provide an improved form oi hollow metallic wall, ceiling. roof and or element, and an improved form of interlockbe- 40 tween the proximate edges of 7adjacent elements or sections.

To the attainment of theseends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of uthe several partshereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the .accompanying drawings illustrating this invention and in which Figure 1 is a view partly in vertical section, partly broken away, andpartly diagrammatic, of a structure oi this character constructed in accordance with the principles oi this invention.

,5 Figure 2 is a detail sectional view, partly brodiagram', partly in"section,

frame structure with 4for a Figure 4 is a horizontal, sectional view, partly'l diagrammaticpartly in section, and partly broken away, as taken on line 4 4, Figure 1.

vFigure 5 is a detail perspective view, partly in and partly broken awayof a portion-of the some. of the wall and iloorelements or sections in position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged, detail, horizontal, sectional view of one corner of the structure.

Figure l is a left hand end elevation oi Figure 8.

Figure 8 is a detail, vertical, sectional view taken on line Figure 6.

Figure 9 is ahorizontal sectional view,J on an enlarged scale, taken on line 9-9, Figure '1,

Figure 10 is a detail, sectional viewV taken on line III-I0, Figure 9.

' Figure 11 is a detail, sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on line I l-i i, Figure 1.

'Referring more particularly to the drawings,

- the frame structure consists essentially of a base formed of angle irons I5, provided with an up.

right iiange i6, and which angle irons are secured to a base `I1 in any desired or suitable manner, such as by means of fastening or anchor bolts I8. The ends o! the angle irons are secured together in any suitable manner to form a supporting base frame, which may be of any desired size and configuration.

Reinforcing braces or uprights i9 are secured at their lower ends in any s uitable manner, such as by means of brazingor bolting to the upright I ange it of the base member i5. These uprights i9 may be oi any desired length, and any suit-,-

able number may b e provided, but they are prei.'- erably of a channel formation with the backs of the channels. secured to the flange i6.

The sides of the upper ends of the members i9 are preferably cut away so that the extremity oi.' the' back or bottom of the channel will project sitable distance above the side walls of the channel, and this extremity 20 is ilanged rearwardly to form a supporting ledge at. the upper ends of the uprights.

Resting upon the flange 20 thus formed and the upper ends of the uprights I9, is a cap member providedwith a horizontal body portion 2i intermediate'itsextremities, and the portion 2i is of any desired width and is secured in position in any suitable manner. At one edge o! the portion 2|, the cap member is deiiected downwardly as at 22 so as to engage and rest against the inner faces of the uprights I9, and the lower extremity of the portion 22 is deflected laterally as at 23 to form a supporting ledge extending around the frame structure.

Ihe other edge of the portion 2| is shaped to form an upwardly projecting portion 24 which may be of any desired height and the upper extremity 25 thereof is shaped to form an upwardly extending inclined flange, for a purpose to be set forth.

Angle irons 26 extend across the frame, preferably with the lower edge of the upright ange resting upon the portion 2| of the cap member, and any number of these angle irons, which form joists or braces may be provided, and they may be secured in position in any suitable manner, preferably by means of angle plates 27 resting upon the portion 2| of the cap member and against the face of the upright ange of the angle irons 26. These plates, which constitute brackets, may be secured in position in any suitable manner, such as by means of bolts 28, or the same may be welded.

Secured also to the cap member are inverted substantially U-shaped members 29 provided with laterally deflected portions 30 at the lower ends of the upright walls of the member 29, and these members 29 serve the purpose of receiving the 'upper ends of partitions for dividing the interior of the structure into rooms, or for any other suitable purpose.

Any number of these members 29 may be provided, according to the number of partitions desired to be used, and the iianges 30 at the extremities of the members rest upon the laterally deilected portion 23 of the cap member 2 I, which forms a supporting ledge therefor, the extremi- 40rtias, of the flanges and the remaining portion of the members 29 abutting the upright portion 22 of the cap member 2|. The uprightwalls of the member 29 are such that the upper surface of the member 29 will be substantially flush with the upper surface of the horizontal portion of the cap member 2|. Any suitable fastening means, such as rivets 3|, may be provided for securing these parts together, or they may be spot welded, and these members 29 may, if desired, be disposed so that the extremity thereof will extend across the abutting edges 32 of adjacent cap members 2|.

Plates 33 may be provided for securing/the adjacent ends of the cap member 2| together, and these plates may be secured in position in any suitable manner, such as by means of rivets 34, or spot welding.

An angle iron 35 rests upon the angle irons 26 so as to form a space between the bottom of the angle iron 35 and the upper surface of the hori zontal portion of the cap member 2| and also above the top of the member 29, the upright :Ilange 36 of the angle iron 35 being disposed beneath the upwardly inclined portion 25 of the upright ange 24 of the cap member 29 to serve as a flashing member. Y

Adjacent the lower ends of the uprights or members |9 cross bars or braces are employed, and any number thereof may beprovided. These cross bars preferably consist of two angle irons 31 arranged with the anges 38 uprightly and abutting each other to form an inverted substantially Tshaped structure, any number of which may be provided and secured in position at any desired point. The ends of these .cross .bars rest upon the horizontal portion of the base member I and are secured in position in any suitable manner, the flanges of scme of the cross bars or members 31 being disposed beneath and in alinement with the members 29.

Intermediate the cross bars 31-38 is arranged an angle iron 39, the lower edge of the upright ange resting upon the base member I5 and spaced from the upright flange I 6, so that the horizontal flange 39 will form a supporting ledge for the iloor sections orelements, to be hereinafter described, and the proximate edges of the angle irons 39 are disposed in close proximity to the upright iianges 38 of the cross bars 31, and the :door elements will be supported above the base member I5 by means of the angle iron 39. At the same time the upright portions of the angle iron 39 being spaced from the upright flange I6 of the base member I5, will form a groove or pocket for the elements constituting the walls.

At the corners of the frame structure upright corner members are provided, and thesevcorner members may be of any suitable construction, but preferably in the form of a channel 40 (see particularly Figure 2) of any desired depth and vof a width to receive the edges of the wall element. A laterally projecting flange 4| is provided at the free extremity of one of the Walls of the channel 40 so as to co-operate with another substantially L shaped member 42 co-operating with the flange 4 I, to form a groove to receive the edge of the wall section arranged at right angles to the section which extends into the groove' 40. One edge of the member 42 is deiiected laterally as at 43 and the extremity 44 is deiiected at substantially right angles to the portion 43 so as to form a stop within the channel formed by the flange 4I in the member 42, to position and limit the insertion of the wall element thereinto.

'I'he parts constituting the corner members may be secured together in any suitable manner, and may be anchored to the frame structure in any suitable manner.

With'the construction thus far described, it will be manifest that there is provided a rigid frame structure and the uprights or members I9 will not only serve as uprights, but will also hold the parts against any displacement with respect to each other, thereby imparting rigidity to the frame.

Obviously, the uprights I9 and the corner members may be of any desired height according to the height of the building, and it is also obvious that if it is desired to construct a building of more than one story, additional uprights may be secured in position above the cap'member 2|, and in that event the inclined edge 25 of the cap member will be omitted.

'I'he floor, walls and ceiling are constructed of hollow metallic elements of any desired size, and are secured together by interlocking the proximate edges of adjacent sections or elements, and these sections are preferably laid in series with the ends of the adjacent sections abutting and after the oor elements have been assembled, any suitable cement or sealing means may, if desired, be provided for closing the joints or cracks at the abutting edges.

In the present form of the invention the side and wall sections are preferably of the'same configuration, and one form of cnstruction is disclosed in Figures 1 and-5, wherein the elements are of hollow construction, providing side walls 45 and an end wall 46, projecting laterally from' which latter and intermediate' the planes of the side walls 45, is a ange or extension" formed by bending the material which forms the element, back upon itself. 'I'he other extremities of the side walls are deflected toward and terminate short of each other, as at 443-49,and then inwardly into the member to form spaced parallel portions 50- 5I, the top of the member 5l looping around the .extremity of the portion 50 as at 52, to form a catch to hold the members 5Ii-5I against separation. This construction will form a seat 53 on one edge ofthe element to receive the laterally projecting flange 41 on one edge of the nextadjacent element, thereby forming an interlocking means between the proximate-edges of adjacent sections.l

' Insulating means 54, preferably in the for'm of sheets of insulating material, is arranged within the elements to form a dead Vair and insulating space therein.

In the floor construction, the outer members rest upon the horizontal flange of the angle iron 39 and the .edges of certain of the elements are disposed adjacent the upright flange 38 of the cross bars 31 and terminate short of each other to form a slight space into which a hood or cap member 55 is inserted, and which member is preferably of an inverted substantially V shaped formation, extending above the upper surface of the floor elements, with the extremities of the sides of the cap extending between the upright flange 38 and the proximate edges of adJacent door elements, for a purpose to be set forth. l

In Figure 11, there is shown another fom of wall and floor element which is hollow and i constructed of sheet metal, having spaced sides 56, and one edge of the element is formed by deecting the portions 56 inwardly towards and terminating short of each other, the metal intermediate the faces 55 at the edge of the element being bent back-upon itself to form a hollow projection 51, preferably inclining to the planes of the faces 56 of the element, and'a portion of one of the deflected parts 56 being shaped as at 58 to form a pocket 59. The other edges. of the walls 56 are deflected inwardly as at 60 to f orm inclined portions, the extremities of which are deflected into the element to form spaced parallel portions 6| providing an opening 62, into which the projection 51 on another member is adapted to project. The walls of the elements 55 possess a certain amount 'of inherent resiliency so as ,to permit the walls of the openings 62 to be separated, fora purpose to be set forth, and insulating material 53 is provided within the elements to'form insulated deadA air spaces.

WhenY the proximate edges of adjacent `e1e ments are inter-locked, as shown in Figure 11,

suitable sealingmaterial 64 isv provided in -the pockets 59, and by theconstruction of these parts, it will be seen fron'rFigure 11, that thepocket is substantially closed ,by the side faces of .the

elements. These pockets also permit moisture Vto be drained o ff.

Within the Walls of the'projections 51, openings 65 are provided and these openings 65 are arranged in staggered relation and serve as a meansfor interrupting the radiation of heat or` cold by the projections, the openings serving as a means for cooling the surfaces.

In Figures '7, 8 and 9, there is shown another I form of interlock between the proximateedges of adiacentr` sections, and to that.end, the ends of the side members 66 of the element are bent into a substantially W shape formation having walls 61 `terminatinglin walls 63 which are united at the apex 69, openings 10 being provided in the walls 68. With thisform of the invention. the corresponding edge of the element is shaped by deflecting the extremities 1i of the walls towards each other to form inwardly tapered portions, and the extremities of the portions 1i are deflected inwardly to form spaced parallel portions 12, and between which portions'12 the projection formed by the walls 68 extend. The portions 13 at the junction of the walls 61 and 68 form seats for the extremities of the portions 1I to hold them in position and prevent the walls 66 ofthe element from spreading when the parts are assembled. When the elements are not assembled and interlocked, the walls 6 6 as well as the portions '1I may be separated or sprung apart, for a purpose to beset forth.

The insulating material 63 isv also provided in these elements. Clips 14 may be provided, if

desired (see Figure 6) to prevent the edge of the elements from being forced inwardly when assembled and so as to hold them in position. When assembling this form of the invention, portions of the deflected" edges 1i of the wall 56 abut the stop I4, as shown inFigure 6.

With these constructions'it will be manifest that the floor and wall elements will be interlocked, and the parts will be held in this interlocked relation by means ofthe upright corner" posts of the frame structure.

One edge of the lowermost upright wall elements is provided with an open recess-or notch 15 (see Figures 7 and'8) so as to receive the upright flange of the Abase member I5 (see Figure 5) and thereby lock or hold the bottom of the wall in position and against the upright portion of the angle iron 39.

Theupper end of the wall member rests against the outer face ofthe upright portion 22 of the cap member 2l,- and an angle iron 16 co-operates vwith this upright portion toform a seat or groove in which the upper edge of the wall members -are seated, thereby holding the parts assembled.

In the partitions the recess 15 will receive-the upper end of the cap member 55, and the partition elements rest upon the adjacent portions of the floor element, while the upper ends of the partitions are seated in theinvertedU shaped cross bar or beam 29, as shown in Figure 5. 'Ihe ceilings are Iformed in' a similarmanner and the ceiling elements -rest upon the supporting ledge z3 at me bottom of the upright wan 2z of the capmember 2|, as well .as the flanged portion 30 of the members`29 and beneath the angle irons 26.

In assembling the wall sections into interlocking relation, provision must be made to place wall elements around theuprights I9 so as to conceal the same. It is for this reason that-one edge of the elements is constructed so that theparts may be separated by springing them apart to permit of theiren'cgompassing these uprigllts.y

f After the elements have been placed in position, -theinterlocking Jointsareso constructed as to prevent the parts of the element from separating or springing apart until the adjacent sections have been unlocked.

With this construction it will be manifest that "all fastening bolts and anchoring means for the frame structure will be concealed both from the inside and the outside. fl the structure, while at the same time all of the parts. will reinforce and brace each other and the structure, especial# ly the wall, fioorand `ceiling 'elements may be readily placed in position after the frame structure has been fabricated.

It will also be manifest that a great portion of this construction may be fabricated at the factory, thereby saving time and expenseof fabricating the same at the place of erection.

The roof of the building is preferably formed by means of rafters 'l1 which are preferably of angle iron construction, one end of which may be secured to the angle iron 26 and they extend upwardly and towards each other to be united at their upper extremities as at 18 in any suitable manner.

A hollow ridge member is provided which is shaped to form a substantially hollow inverted V shaped base 19, having upwardly extending diverging walls to form seats 8|. 'I'he roof designated generally by the reference numeral 82, is preferably of the construction shown in Figure 11, and one end of the sections or elements when assembled, rests upon the seat 8| of the ridge member and abuts the walls 80, and the notch or recess 'I5 at the lower end of the roof structure receives the flange 25 on the upright wall 24 of the cap member 2|. The seats 8| and the flange 25, together with the recessl 15 are so located with respect to the rafters 11, that the roof will be preferably spaced above the rafters. i Y

In the roo'f construction, the pockets 59 are particularly advantageous to prevent the leaking of water through the roof.

A ridge cap 88 extends over the opening at.

the upper ends of the walls 80 of the ridge, and the edges of the cap are deflected laterally as at 8l and inwardly as at 85, the extremity of the deflected portion abutting the walls 80 to form a tight and protected joint.

Clamps 86 may be provided which engage within the seats formed by the deflected portions 84-85 of the ridge cap and also extend over the ends of the walls 80 of the ridge to hold the parts in assembled relation, fastening or anchor boltsv 81 being provided, which pass through the clamps 86 and through the bottom of the ridge member.

Eaves troughs 88 are provided and the rear wall thereof is shaped to form an upwardly extending hook shaped portion 89 which engages over the upper edge of the flange 25 on the upright wall 24 of the cap member 2|.

Within, the structure there may be provided a base board 90 of any desired configuration, and constructed of sheet material, having a shouldered portion 8| that rests upon the door elements and extends for any desired distance thereabove. The baseboard is provided with an upright depending portion 92 which is of any desired length an'd is adapted to be inserted between the edge of the floor and wall elements to engage and rest upon the angle iron 39.

A picture molding 93 also constructed of sheet material may also be provided, and this molding -is provided with a horizontal portion 94 (see Fig;

While the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described, it is to beA understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is:* a

1. A metallic building construction of the character described embodying a supporting frame structure, means anchoring the frame to a base, said frame embodying uprights and cross beams secured together vto provide a self-supporting structure, hollow metallic wall elements supported by said frame structure, and interlocking means between the proximate edges of adjacent wall elements. i

2. A metallic building construction of the char- --embodying uprights and cross beams, hollow metallic wall elements supported by said frame structure, and interlocking means between the proximate edges of adjacent wall elements, said wall elements respectively encompassing said uprights and cross beams.

4. A metallic building construction of the character described embodying a frame structure, said frame embodying extended reinforcing members intermediate the ends and corners of the frame, and hollow metallic wall elements adapted to be placed in position to encompass the respective reinforcing members, the proximate edges of adjacent Wall elements being provided, one with a projection of substantial extent and the other with an opening to receive such projection to form an interlock between adjacent wall elements, said interlock being disposed within the planes of the lateral faces of the element.

5. A metallic building construction of the character described embodying a frame structure, said frame embodying extended reinforcing members intermediate the ends and corners of the frame, and hollow metallic wall elements adapted to be placed in position to encompass the respective reinforcing members, the proximate edges of adjacent wall elements being provided, one with a projection of substantial extent and the other with an opening to receive such projection to form an interlock between adjacent wall elements, said interlock being disposed Within the planes of the lateral faces of the element, portions of one of the elements being shaped to brace and maintain 'the walls of the other element on opposite sides of the said opening therein, against separation.

6. A metallic building construction of the char#l acter described embodying a frame structure, said frame embodying an inverted open channel for receiving and holding the edge of a partition, and a picture hanging molding supported by said channel, the lower edge of the molding being spaced from the face of said partition to form a space for the reception of a picture hook beneath the molding.

7. A metallic building construction of the character described embodying a frame structure, said ltemporarily sprung-apart to permit the element to be vpositioned around a beam, and means on the adjacent element for maintaining said walls against separation when the adjacent sections are locked together.

, 8. A metallic building construction of the character described embodying a frame structure having a base provided with an upstanding flange, uprights provided with an open recess in one end to receive said flange, cross beams connected to and extending across the space between said uprights, wall elements forming the walls, floor and ceiling, said elements being hollow and formedy `of sheet metal,I and interlocking means between the proximate edges of adjacent elements, the outer edges of the outermost elements being disposed adjacent uprlghts of t e frame structure whereby said elements will be maintained interlocked.

9. A metallic building construction of the character described embodying a frame structure having a base provided with an upstanding flange, uprights provided with an open recess in one end to receive said flange, cross beams connected to and extending across the space between said up rights, wall elements forming thewalls, floor and ceiling, said elements being of a hollow metallic construction, interlocking means between the proximate edges of adjacent elements, the outer edges of the outermost elements being disposed adjacent uprlghts of the frame structure whereby said elements will be maintained interlocked, anda base board disposed adjacent the upper Aface of certain of said elements and resting thereupon, a portion of said base board projecting between the edge of the elements and the adjacent upright Aoi? the frame'structure.

10.- A metallic building construction of the character described embodying a frame structure having a base provided with an upstanding flange, upzights, extended reinforcing members for the frame, certain of the uprights being provided with an open recess in their end to receive said flange, hollow metallic elements forming the walls and floor, means" supporting the floor elements, and

. interlocking means between the proximate edges of adjacent elements, certain of thesaid elements adapted to encompass said reinforcing members@ as the elements are being placed 'in position.

11. A metallic building construction of the character described embodying a frame 'structure having a base provided with an upstanding flange, uprights. extended reinforcing members for the frame, certain of the uprights being provided with an open recessin their vend to receive ,said flange,

hollow metallic elements forming the walls and floor, means supporting the floor elements, interlocking means between the proximate edges of adjacent elements, certain of the said elements A' 12. A-sectional metallic building adapted to encompass said reinforcing members as the elements are being placed in position, and corner members for maintaining the ysaid elements against edgewise movement. Y

construction a frame, said frame embodying a embodying beams, an open channel base, uprights, cross .cross beam supported by and 4extending across wall and ceiling elements, lsaidgwall elements` superposed on edge, interlocking means between the proximate edges of adjacent elements, and a picture molding disposed adjacent the top of the walls, said molding being 'secured to a part of the frame structure with the portion. thereof that is engaged by said picture hook, being disposed adjacent and spaced from the inner facfes of the respective said walls.

14. A metallic building construction of the character described embodying a frame structure having a base provided with an upstanding projection, an 'upright provided with a slot opening through the end thereof to receive said projection, cross beams supported by said uprights, hollow metallic wall elements supported by said frame structure, and interlocking means between the proximate .edges oi adjacent wall sections, there being Ventilating openings in the `said upright above the said slot.

15. A metallic building construction of the characterfdescribed embodying a. frame structure ,having a base provided with an upstanding prothe space between the uprights, hollow metallic 16. A metallic building construction oi' the character described embodying a frame structure, said frame embodying an inverted open channel for receiving and holding the edge of a partition,

a laterally projecting nge' on said channel, said iiange disposed adjacent the face of the wall, and a picture hanging molding supported by said flange, the edge of the molding being spaced from the 'partition and formed into lan upright flange Vto provide a space into which a picture hook may be inserted under the molding, the extremity of the lower edge of the molding being shaped to `form an upright fiangeovel which a picture hook is adapted to engage. l i j 17. A metallic building construction of the character described embodying a i' me structure, said frame embodying an inve d open channel for receiving and holding the ge of a. partition, a laterally projecting flange on saidchannel, said flange disposed adjacent the face ofthe wall, and: a picture hanging molding supported by said flange, said molding 'standingastride of the edge of the ange, a portion of the' molding being deilected towards the face of th\.e\wall and terminat- .ing .short thereof.

for receiving and holding the edge of a partition, a. laterally projecting ange on said channel, said flange disposed adjacent the face of the wall, and a picture hanging molding supported by said' ange, said molding standing astride of the edge of the ange, a portion of the molding being deected towards the face of the wall and terminating short thereof, the edge of the molding adjacent the wall being deected upwardly to form a flange substantially parallel with but spacedl from said wall.

JOSEPH SYLVAN. 

